6 Cleaning Products You Should Never Mix—and 2 You Absolutely Should

Cleaning days are hard enough. Make sure you avoid these mixtures to prevent accidents or other harm.

Don’t mix: Ammonia and bleach

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Combining these two household cleaning products can create toxic chloramine vapors. If you inhale these vapors it can cause respiratory problems and throat burns. Make sure to read the labels on your cleaning products before you mix them to prevent any accidents. For example, Windex typically has ammonia in it, and some brands of pipe cleaner, such as Drano, have bleach in them. Here are some other smart ways to use bleach.

Don’t mix: Vinegar and bleach

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When you mix an acidic product with bleach it releases toxic chlorine and chloramine vapors. This can cause a chemical burn, most likely in your lungs or eyes. Find out these first aid mistakes to avoid.